UPDATE: This article was originally posted on June 10, 2024. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
Recording a video essay for your MBA application can feel overwhelming. You might be anxious about how to present yourself effectively, worry about memorizing your answers, or unsure of where to even start. After all, the stakes are high—this video could be the turning point that secures your spot in a top-tier program.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to record a stellar video essay that highlights your strengths and captures the attention of admissions committees. From choosing the right equipment to crafting your message, this guide will provide you with the tools and confidence needed to showcase your unique personality and achievements and earn a spot at your dream school.
Let’s dive in!
Why Do Business Schools Require a Video Essay?
Though many applicants see video essays as a major headache, more schools adopt the practice each year.
Considering the stress the video essays cause applicants, why do business schools seem to love the practice? Simply put, the video format gives the admissions committee the chance to truly “meet” candidates – as well as identify red flags in applicants.
According to INSEAD’s admissions committee:
“The video should be seen as a unique opportunity for you to share your passions, your motivations and who you truly are. The MBA Admissions Committee is interested in obtaining an authentic view of you as a person, to see how you think on your feet and how you convey your ideas.”
With that in mind, it’s vital that you fully understand this component of the application.
How Does The Video Essay Work?
Though the specifics vary slightly from school to school, the general elements of the video essay are relatively similar.
In all cases, you will sign into an online platform (most often you will receive the link via email after submitting your application).
After signing in, you will receive a set of questions (usually ranging from 2-4) on a variety of topics ranging from why you want to attend a particular school to icebreaker questions and standard interview-type questions.
Here is a list of the types of questions you can expect – though definitely check out our school-specific guides below to make sure you’re prepping effectively for your target programs.
Why MBA/Goals
- What will you gain from the XYZ MBA Programme that you won’t gain from another MBA program?
- What activities are you most excited to get involved in at XYZ school?
- What path are you interested in pursuing, how will you get there, and why is this program right for you?
- What are you expecting to learn during your MBA?
- How would XYZ school help you to achieve your career goals?
- What do you like most about XYZ school?
- What do you know about the XYZ MBA program?
- What clubs will you participate in at XYZ school?
- How will you measure success during your MBA?
- How will you enhance the diversity of the XYZ school class?
- What makes you a good candidate for the XYZ MBA program?
Behavioral/Interview-Type Questions
- What accomplishment are you proudest of?
- Tell us about a time you took a risk. What did you learn?
- Tell us about an organization or activity to which you have devoted a significant amount of time. Why was it meaningful to you?
- What impact do you have on your co-workers?
- How have you changed over the last 5 years?
- What will your XYZ school classmates be most surprised to learn about you?
- What do you like to do in your free time?
- Whom do you respect the most and why?
- When you have a problem, who do you approach for advice and why?
- What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
- If you knew you could not fail, what would you do?
- How would your teammates describe you?
- Who has had the greatest impact on you and why?
- If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be and why?
- What is the most important thing you have ever done for someone else?
- What is the most important thing someone else has ever done for you?
- What is your leadership style?
- How would your colleagues describe your leadership style?
- You are starting a new project with team members coming from different cultures and educational backgrounds. How would you help them get to know each other?
- What do you do when someone comes to you with a problem?
- A colleague is asking you to help him/her to assess his/her future career options. How do you help him/her grow?
- If you were a team leader and you had a worker who constantly underdelivered – what would you do?
- How would you tell a friend they had failed an exam?
- What is your management style?
- Give me an example of a time you convinced your other team members.
- What word describes you best and why?
- Tell us about an organization or activity to which you have dedicated significant time. Why was it meaningful to you?
- What impact do you have on your co-workers?
- How do you deal with conflicts in the work environment?
- How do you deal with difficult people at work?
- Have you ever been in a negotiation that wasn’t win–win, rather, win-lose or lose-lose?
- How would you fight stereotypes in a work environment?
- Tell about a time when you had to interact with someone who didn’t speak the same language as you. / Tell us about an international encounter you had. What did you learn from it?
- How did you build your international experience?
- What is diversity according to you? / What does diversity mean to you?
- Please describe a situation in which you worked well with people from different backgrounds and how you adapted.
- Give me an example of how you were attracted by culture from other countries.
- Tell us about the most interesting place you’ve traveled to. What did you enjoy most about it?
- If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
- Describe a time when understanding someone else’s perspective helped you understand him/her better.
- How would you define success in your career?
- Explain what you would do to gain respect as a new manager.
- Describe one situation where you faced an ethical dilemma. How did you resolve it? What factors did you consider while resolving it?
- Tell us about a manager you looked up to – what were the qualities you liked?
Icebreaker Questions
- What is your favorite book and why?
- What inspires you?
- What possession or memento do you treasure most and why?
- If you had an extra hour every day, what would you do with it?
- What piece of technology could you not live without and why?
- What word describes you best and why?
- What’s the best book you have ever read and why?
- If you could witness any event..past present or future, what would it be?
- If you could teach a class on any topic. What would it be and why?
- If you were given a chance to meet anyone, current or historical, who would you meet and why?
- Tell us about the most interesting place you’ve traveled to. What did you enjoy most about it?
- What invention during your lifetime has had the biggest impact on you and why?
- If money was not a concern. what would you do?
- If you had unlimited resources and funds – what company would you create?
- How do you keep track of your vision? Or that of your company?
- What 3 factors are necessary for a business to be successful? / What 3 factors are necessary for an entrepreneur to be successful? / What according to you is required to start and run a successful business?
- How would you establish the foundations of your company?
- What is your favorite food? Could you eat that same food every day?
- What is your favorite motto or quote, and why?
- Are you good with numbers?
For all schools, the timing mechanism will be slightly different, but you can expect to have between 20-60 seconds to prepare and between 45-90 seconds to deliver your answers.
In all cases, you cannot redo questions.
If you’d like to get ahead and start preparing for your Kellogg, INSEAD, London Business School, or Yale video essays, you can find articles with real questions to practice by clicking the links.
The Difference Between a Good and Great Video Essay
Given the importance of the video essay, it’s crucial to make sure you don’t just have a good video essay, but that you have a great video essay.
Now that you’ve learned how the video essay will work, we suggest checking out our guide on top tips, from how to be personable on camera to choosing the right background, here!
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